The emergency department nurse realizes that the husband of a patient appears increasingly irritable as he waits alone in the waiting room. Which intervention would best prevent further escalation?
a. Periodically update the husband about his wife and what is being done for her.
b. Explain that waiting is necessary because patients are treated in order of need.
c. Reassure him that everything possible is being done and suggest ways to relax.
d. Suggest that he return home and await an update from the physician in 3 hours.
A
Waiting without information about what is occurring, especially for one already worried about an ill spouse, is very anxiety provoking. Some persons would interpret this waiting as neglect, a sign that staff do not care, leading to increasing frustration and anger. Providing periodic updates on the patient's condition and what is being done to help her keeps the spouse involved and reduces misperceptions. The other options fail to address specifically the dynamic underlying the spouse's escalating frustration, because they do not fill in the unknowns with specific information. Asking him to wait 3 hours at home would only compound his anxiety. Suggesting that he relax could be perceived as implying that his response is unreasonable, which would likely be perceived as criticism, frustrating him further and likely increasing his anger.
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